LACT- Human Lactation

This course provides the skills and knowledge necessary to conduct an inquiry-based, master's level research study. The course will explore philosophical frameworks, literature review, and research design (problem statement, research questions or hypotheses, data collection and analysis tools) as well as other key aspects of academic research (reliability and validity, ethics, and social relevance). The three major research methods, Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed, are examined in relation to the student’s focus of interest. This course sets the foundation for Advanced Research Methods.

Starting with topics related to human lactation, the learner will consider issues relating to physical health, psychological health, social health, intellectual health, spiritual health and/or environmental health. Changing behavior to achieve better health will be explored through models of health behavior change. This course will give learners an opportunity to begin to examine their own topic in detail, using the theories and models that are discussed at a broader level throughout this course.

This course will explore public health and policy aspects of maternal and child health focusing on breastfeeding. It positions the U.S. Maternal and Child Health policies and practices into the global context. This course explores financial, ethical, and health considerations, the role of governments, non-governmental associations, health professional associations, and skilled providers. It addresses the outcomes for mothers, families, and nations.

This course provides 30 hours of human lactation instruction and is the first in a series of four lactation-specific courses designed to prepare students for the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE) certification examination. 

This course is a continuation of LACT 514 and provides 60 hours of lactation instruction designed to prepare students for the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE) certification examination.

This course applies a psychosocial approach to perinatal mental health, tailored specifically for the IBCLC. Students will master the biopsychosocial framework to recognize and analyze Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs), trauma, and grief. The focus is on the profound interplay between parental emotional health and lactation success. Through critical analysis and ethical protocol development, students will learn to synthesize evidence-based support strategies and establish clear, safe referral networks, ensuring they operate ethically and effectively within their scope of practice.

This advanced, interdisciplinary course examines tethered oral tissues (TOTs) from a holistic, systems-level perspective. The curriculum analyzes TOTs' functional impacts across the lifespan, including infant feeding, respiratory, sleep, GI, and neurodevelopmental outcomes. Students learn to critically appraise the complex evidence base and synthesize diverse assessment and care protocols from multiple disciplines, such as dentistry, speech-language pathology (SLP), and various functional modalities. The course focuses on critical research evaluation and the analysis of ethical, family-centered collaborative protocols.

This course provides an opportunity for the student to begin applying the knowledge that has been gained in prior courses. Each student works one -on -one with a faculty mentor and the course content is individualized for each student. The student and instructor collaboratively develop an Individualized Learning Component that supplements the course syllabus and identifies activities and expectations specific for that student. Examples of experiential and/or applied learning activities may include: developing a childbirth education curriculum; undertaking a series of structured visits to health facilities or other institutions; undertaking a creative project (a series of short stories, essays, or art works); conducting specialized research to gather data for the upcoming thesis (conducting archival research or conducting surveys and interviews, etc.); or, preparing and delivering conference presentations. At the end of the term, the student offers substantive reflection on how learning activities undertaken during the term inform the student’s academic study. 

This course may serve as continuation of 525 Applications I or may involve a different but comparable project.

This first internship course focuses on the clinical application of didactic knowledge in lactation support. Students will complete 150 hours of supervised clinical experience, developing competency in the first six of the twelve LEAARC competency areas for IBCLC qualification.

This second internship course builds upon LACT 528, focusing on advanced clinical lactation practice. Students complete the final 150 hours of internship experience, developing competencies in complex lactation cases and applying advanced clinical reasoning.

This course provides the student with in-depth knowledge of research methods appropriate to the field of human lactation. The student writes a substantial thesis proposal.

This course presents an introduction to the human body and health and outlines how a microorganism or body imbalance can quickly cause an illness. The course also presents the concepts of vaccinations and how their use has reduced infectious disease in the U.S. and globally. Moreover, the course will address how education around the world relates to relationships between vaccines and epidemics. General topics include cells, human tissues, organs and organ systems, genetics, microbiology, pathology, immunology and epidemiology. 

This course covers essential elements of human anatomy and physiology, the relationship and function of anatomy and physiology, homeostasis and the role that each of the body systems plays in maintaining it, and the functions of cells and tissues in the body.

The growth and development of infants and children are explored in this course beginning with influences on healthy development in the prenatal phase, continuing through birth to adolescence. Normal stages are examined at each phase of the life cycle from conception to adolescence. Health promotion and cultural implications of health care during this span are emphasized. 

Medical Terminology is the language specific to the medical industry. This introductory course focuses on the word construction and meaning that characterizes medical language through a study of root words, prefixes and suffixes. This course focuses on correct pronunciation, spelling and use of medical terms. Anatomy, physiology, and pathology of disease are discussed, yet no previous knowledge of these topics is necessary.

A substantial research and writing project that includes extended critical exposition. The thesis stands as the culmination of a student’s study and provides evidence that university outcomes and competencies have been met.

A substantial research and writing project that includes extended critical exposition. The thesis stands as the culmination of a student’s study and provides evidence that university outcomes and competencies have been met.